The US presidential election, Now just about a month away, Is a matter of great interest. Depending on who becomes president, Not only the United States but the entire world is affected by every word and action of the president in politics, Economy, Diplomacy and more. In addition to this enormous influence that moves the world, What the president wears and what accessories they choose also attract public attention. From this perspective, What kind of watch the US president wears and the stories behind it spark curiosity among watch enthusiasts.

The President’s Watch

President Harry S. Truman’s Vulcain Cricket
ⓒ Harry S. Truman Presidential Library

There is a watch known as the ‘President’s Watch’. This refers to the Vulcain Cricket alarm watch, A brand not widely known in Korea. Harry Shippe Truman, The 33rd president of the United States, Received a gold Cricket as a gift from the White House News Photographers Association on his last day in office. The case back was engraved with the phrase ‘One More Please’. This was something Truman often said when taking photos. The Cricket became famous as photos of the president wearing it spread widely.

ⓒ bobswatches.com

The classic President’s Watch was worn by four US presidents.
Lyndon Johnson, The 36th president and a watch enthusiast, Ordered about 200 Crickets with his signature on the dial and gave them as gifts to state guests and key figures. The name Cricket comes from the alarm sound, Which is said to resemble a cricket, But in reality, It was much louder. It could be compared to a school bell or a fire bell at a lower volume. There is a story that Lyndon Johnson would set the Cricket’s alarm on purpose and leave meetings, Saying he had another appointment. 

John F Kennedy’s Omega Ultra Thin ⓒ gq magazine uk

The hand-wound caliber and the long, Thin bar indexes on the white dial pursued a restrained sense of balance. At the time, Grant Stockdale, The US ambassador to Ireland, Gave this watch as a gift to his friend who would become president. The case back was boldly engraved with ‘President of the United States John F. Kennedy. From his friend Grant’. Kennedy wore this watch at his presidential inauguration. Omega purchased it at auction for $350, 000, And it is now on display at the Omega Museum in Biel. In 2008, Omega produced a limited reissue of this watch, But with fewer than 300 pieces, It is now very difficult to find.

ⓒ swisswatchexpo.com

There are also photos of Kennedy wearing the Cartier Tank Louis Cartier. This watch was a wedding anniversary gift from Jacqueline Kennedy.

Bill Clinton

As the 42nd president, Bill Clinton was the third youngest person to lead the United States. Among US presidents, He had the most European taste in watches. Rather than popular brands like Omega or Rolex, He showed a clear preference for watches favored by enthusiasts at many public events.

Former President Clinton wearing Panerai ⓒ nbcnews

Former President Bill Clinton wearing Jaeger-LeCoultre Diver Watch
ⓒ wristenthusiast.com

There are photos of him wearing two Panerai Luminor watches (presumed to be the Automatic Date and PAM00089) and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Alarm Navy SEALs. All of them are sporty watches with a diameter of about 44mm.
As for dress watches, He has been seen wearing the A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Pour Le Mérite and the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Chronograph. The Richard Lange Pour Le Mérite with a black dial is quite rare. Although it is a simple time-only watch, It features the classic fusée and chain system for consistent torque, Making it a highly precise and complex mechanism.

Timex Ironman digital watch worn by former President Bill Clinton
ⓒ ashton-blakey-antiques.com

The discontinued Jules Audemars collection is known for its classic design, With a striking combination of two counters and a tachymeter. He has been seen wearing the Cricket, The watch of US presidents, And there are also photos of him in his younger days wearing a Timex digital quartz watch. He seems to have the best eye for watches among all US presidents.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump, The 45th president and a candidate for the presidency again, Wears watches that are rather modest considering his estimated net worth of $3.9 billion (according to tax documents and other sources).

Former President Trump and Rolex Day-Date© wristenthusiast.com

Former President Trump’s Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse © wristenthusiast.com

His collection is represented by the Rolex Day-Date with the three-link President bracelet, The Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse, And the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Ultra-Fine 1968. The Day-Date, Beloved by many US presidents, Is presumed to be the classic champagne dial version, While the Golden Ellipse appears with casual attire. It is a rare bracelet version, Not the usual leather strap. As the watch is thin and small in diameter, The gold bracelet stands out even more.

Vacheron Constantin Historiques Ultra-Fine 1968
© iflwatches.com

The Vacheron Constantin Historiques Ultra-Fine 1968 is also a thin watch with a small diameter and a thickness of just 5.5mm. The self-winding Cal. 1120 inside is only 2.45mm thick. Although there are only a few examples, It seems that Trump prefers small and thin watches despite his large build.

Joe Biden

President Joe Biden’s Omega Speedmaster © iflwatches.com

Current president Joe Biden’s love for Omega stands out. He owns the Speedmaster Professional, Both the new and old Seamaster Diver 300M. He also has a Rolex Datejust with a smooth bezel and blue dial. His collection is practical and rational. Except for the Speedmaster, Most of his watches feature blue, Which is a unique point. In addition to Omega and Rolex, He has also been seen wearing a Seiko two-tone case quartz chronograph (Ref. 7T32-6M90).

Omega Seamaster 300M © iflwatches.com

Speedmaster Calibre 321 311.30.40.30.01.001

39.7mm, Black

Seamaster Diver 300M "Casino Royale" 2220.80

41mm, Blue

Kamala Harris

© superwatchman.com

Current vice president Kamala Harris, Who is also running for the presidency alongside Donald Trump, Could become the first female president of the United States. No one can predict the outcome of the US election, But it is certain that she enjoys wearing Cartier. She wears a small two-tone Ballon Bleu, And looking at past photos, She also seems to have owned a Cartier Roadster. Only two watches have been revealed, But it appears she prefers Cartier.